Shell and tube heat exchanger



May 23, 1967 R. H. BABYLON SHELL AND TUBE HEAT EXCHANGER a Sheets$het 1 Filed July 12, 1965 INVENTOR RICHARD H. BABYLON- ATTORNEY 23, 1967 R. H. BABYLON 3,321,013

SHELL AND TUBE HEAT EXCHANGER Filed July 12, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVIENTOR RICHARD H. BABYLON BY ,4; E

ATTORNEY y 3, 1967 R. H. BABYLON 3,321,013

SHELL AND TUBE HEAT EXCHANGER Filed July 12, 1965 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I nu Hu l

32 in a a. 32

INVENTOR RICHARD H. BABYLON BY I , fl/ '1 M ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiflce 3,321,013 Patented May 23, 1967 3,321,013 SHELL AND TUBE HEAT EXCHANGER Richard H. Babylon, Hagerstown, Md., assignor to Frick Company, Waynesboro, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed July 12, 1965, Ser. No. 471,001 3 Claims. (Cl. 165158) This invention relates to heat exchangers and more particularly a heat exchanger of the shell and tube type.

In refrigeration equipment, it is necessary to provide a means for cooling the compressor lubricating oil carried Over in the compressed gaseous refrigerant. It is common to employ a heat exchanger wherein the heated oil is passed in indirect heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid, such as water or gaseous refrigerant flowing to the compressor, the cooled oil being recirculated to the compressor. For the purpose of cooling oil in refrigerating systems, shell and tube type heat exchangers have been employed, but they are relatively expensive and cannot be quickly and easily internally inspected and/or repaired. It is also necessary to provide rather elaborate and costly means for allowing relative expansion and contraction of the shell and the tubes.

Accordingly, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide a heat exchanger which is capable of being readily inspected and/ or repaired.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shell and tube heat exchanger which is quickly and easily assembled and disassembled.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a shell and tube heat exchanger wherein the need for expansion joints between the shell and tubes or tube sheets is obviated.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a shell and tube heat exchanger wherein the tube, tube sheet and baflles may be inserted into and removed from the shell as a unit.

In view of the foregoing, it is contemplated by the present invention to provide a heat exchanger of the shell and tube type which comprises an elongated shell open at one end and closed at the other with the open end closed by a header. A tube sheet is secured between the shell and the header. A tube bundle, comprising a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel tubes, is disposed in the shell and with each tube secured in the tube sheet so as to communicate with an outlet chamber defined by thetube sheet and the header. Each tube is arranged to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shell in a plurality serpentine passes. The opposite ends of the tubes, from the tube sheet ends, are secured to smaller diameter tubes which in turn are secured in a distributor or manifold disposed adjacent the closed end of the shell. To conduct a first heat exchange fluid exteriorly of the shell into the manifold, an inlet conduit means is disposed in the shell in communication at one end with themanifold and the opposite end in communication with an inlet passageway formed in the tube sheet, an inlet connection being secured to the tube sheet in communication with the inlet passageway. The shell is proyided with a second fluid inlet connection and a second fluid outlet connection. The header is provided with a first fluid outlet connection to conduct said first fluid from the heat exchanger after it has passed in heat exchanger relationship with the second fluid flowing through said shell. A plurality of spaced battles are provided transversely of the tubes and shell to cause the second fluid to flow in a sinuous path bet-ween the tubes and in a direction from the second fluid inlet connection to the second fluid outlet connection.

To assemble the heat exchanger herein described, the tube means of the tube bundle and the inlet conduit means are secured in the tube sheet and the manifold. The tube means and inlet conduit means also pass through the baflles with the baffles suitably secured to the tubes in spaced relationship with each other. This entire subassembly, as a unit, is slidably receivable in the shell with the tube sheet in abutment against the flanged open end of the shell. The header, having a flange complementary to flanged open end of the shell, is placed against the tube sheet and the flanges of the shell and header and tube sheet are secured together.

To install the assembled heat exchanger, the first fluid inlet conduit and outlet connections are connected, respectively, to a source of first fluid; as for example, a source of cooling fluid and to a place of delivery of first fluid. The second fluid inlet and outlet connections are connected to a source of heated fluid, such as a compressor, and to a place of use of the fluid after heat exchange, such as to a lubricant reservoir for recirculation to a compressor.

Removal of the tube bundle for inspection and/or repair is readily achieved by first disconnecting the first fluid inlet and outlet connections and disconnecting the header from the shell, thereafter merely withdrawing the entire tube bundle as a unit from the shell.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal view in section of a heat exchanger according to this invention,

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-.2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a view in cross section taken substantially along line 33 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the tube sheet and inlet connection according to this invention, and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of a modified tube sheet and inlet connection according to thisv invention.

Now referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 10 generally designates the shell and tube type heat exchanger according to this invention. Heat exchanger 10 comprises an elongated, cylindrical housing or shell 12 which is open at one end and closed at the opposite end by an end wall or cap 14. The open end of shell 12 is provided with an annular flange 16. The open end of shell 12 is closed by tube sheet 18 which is secured against flange 16 by a header 20. Header 20 is dish-shaped and has an annular flange 22 complementary to flange 16. Tube sheet 18 is clamped between flanges 16 and 22 by a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts 24. To seal the interstices between the flanges 16 and 22 and the tube sheet, an annular gasket 26 is interposed between flange 16 and the tube sheet and flange 22 and the opposite side of the tube sheet. Header 20 defines with tube sheet 18 a fluid outlet chamber 28.

Within shell 12 is disposed a tube bank 28 comprising a plurality of tubes 32. Each of the tubes 32 consists of a plurality of straight portions extending substantially parallel to each other and the longitudinal axis of shell 12 and interconnected together by return bends 34 so as to provide series flow of fluid through the interconnected tube portions. One end of each of the tubes is secured in tube sheet 18 in any suitable manner, as by swaging, welding or the like, so as to communicate with outlet chamber 28. The opposite ends of each tube 32 are connected to smaller diameter tubes 30 which, in turn, are connected to a distributor or manifold 36 disposed wholly within shell 12 adjacent end wall 14. Manitold 36 may be of any suitable type, as for example, the

type manufactured by the Sporlan Valve Company of St. Louis, M0. The configuration of each of the tubes 30 need not be exactly the same. It is desirable, however, that each tube 31) have a minimum of bends therein. The principal requirement is that each of the tubes 30 be substantially of the same length to insure even fluid distribution to tubes 32.

To provide for conducting fluid to manifold 36 from a source thereof exterior to shell 12, an inlet means is provided which means includes a delivery conduit or tube 38, an inlet passageway 40 in tube sheet 18 and inlet connection 42. At one end, tube 38 is connected, in any suitable manner well known to those skilled in the art, to the manifold to conduct fluid into the latter. As best shown in FIG. 5, the opposite end of tube 38 is secured in tube sheet 12 by swaging, welding or the like and, to prevent communication between the tube and outlet chamber 28, a plug 44 is secured in the open end of tube 38. Passageway 48 is formed in tube sheet 18, by boring or other conventional means, in registry with passageway 41}, opening 46 may be formed, after insertion of tube 38 in tube sheet 18, by the same boring operation by which passageway 4t) is forrned.- An inlet connection 42 may be secured by turning the member into a tapped. counterbored portion of passageway 48. Inlet connection 42 may be provided with a flanged pipe coupling member 48 for joining with a conduit conducting a cool ing fluid from a suitable source thereof (not shown). To conduct fluid from outlet chamber 28, header 20 has an outlet connection 49 (see FIG. 1).

The tube bundle 28 is supported within shell 12 by a plurality of longitudinally spaced, chordal shaped bafiles 50. Tubes 32 extend through baflles 50 and are fixed to the baflles in any suitable manner. The baffles 50 are arranged in staggered relationship to each other above and below the longitudinal axis of the shell so as to define a sinuous flow path around the tubes 36 for the fluid to be cooled as shown by the arrows.

As best illustrated in FIG. 1, shell 12 has, adjacent tube sheet 18, an inlet connection 52 to receive and conduct fluid to be cooled into the interior of shell 12. An outlet connection 54 is connected to shell 12 adjacent end wall 14 to receive and conduct cooled fluid from the interior of shell 12 to a place of use or storage.

In the fabrication of heat exchanger the tube bundle 28 is connected to tube sheet 18 and manifold 36 and to baffles 50. In addition, delivery tube 38 is connected to baffles 50, tube sheet 18 and manifold 36. This entire sub- :assembly is slidably inserted as a unit into the open end of shell 12 until the tube sheet isin abutment against flange 16. The header is then positoned against the tube sheet and secured to shell 12 by bolts 24 which extend through flanges 16 and 22 and tube sheet 18.

In operation of heat exchanger 10, fluid to be cooled, as for example, heated compressor lubricating oil, enters shell 12 by way of inlet connection 52 and flows in a sinuous path between tubes 32 and in indirect heat exchange relationship with a cooling fluid flowing through tubes 32. The cooled fluid is passed from shell 12.

7 through outlet connection 54, and conduits (not shown) to a place of storage or use. Cooling fluid, as for example, water or gaseous refrigerant in a refrigerating system, is conducted through pipe coupling 48, passageway 40 and into delivery pipe or tube 38 via opening 44. Thereafter, the fluid is conducted by tube 38 to manifold 36 and, from the latter, to each of the tubes 30 and 32. In flowing through tubes 32, the cooling fluid passes in indirect heat exchange relationship with the fluid to be cooled and absorbs heat from the latter. The heated cooling fluid is discharged from tubes 32 into outlet chamber 28 and thence from the heat exchanger by Way of outlet connection 49. Since manifold 36 and baffle 50 are not connected to shell 12 and tube bundle 28 is only connected to shell 12 via tube sheet 18, the entire tube bundle 28 is free to linearly expand and contract relative to shell 12 without the need for expansion joints. Furthermore, since the tube bundle 28, tube sheet and inlet means for the tube bundle are constructed as a unitary structure, the tube bundle is readily capable of removal for inspection, repair and/ or replacement.

In FIG. 6 is shown a modified tube sheet according to this invention. Since the only difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 t0 5 lies in the tube sheet, parts of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 corresponding to like components of the heat exchanger shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 shall be designated by the same reference numbers.

As shown in FIG. 6, tube sheet 18 comprises two sheets 56 and 58 held in spaced relationship to each other by a ring 68 welded or otherwise suitably secured to sheets 56 and 58 in a fluid tight manner. Ring 60 is bored, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, to provide a pas sageway 40 communicating with the chamber formed between the two sheets and ring 60. A pipe coupling 48 may be threadably secured in a threaded counterbored portion of passageway 40. In this embodiment, tubes 32 extend through tube sheets 56 and 58 are secured to the sheets in a fluid tight manner. Delivery pipe or tube 38 may only be secured to sheet 58 so as to communicate with the space between the tube sheets and hence passageway 40. This assembly of tube 38 eliminates the need for a plug to seal the end of tube 38 and the provision of an opening in the Wall of tube 38. It is also within the scope and spirit of this invention to provide more than one delivery pipe or tube 38 communicating with the space betwen the tube sheets and manifold 36 (not shown in FIG. 6).

It is now believed readily apparent that the present invention has provided a shell and tube heat exchanger which is relatively inexpensive and is capable of being quickly disassembled for inspection, repair and/ or replacement of the tube bundle. It is a heat exchanger wherein the tube bundle, tube sheet, bathing and inlet means are formed into a unitary structure, which is slidably receivable in and removable from the heat exchanger shell.

Although two embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Various changes can be made in the arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A heat exchanger of the shell and tube type comprising (a) an elongated shell open at one end and closed at the opposite end thereof,

(b) a tube bundle consisting of a plurality of spaced parallel tubes disposed within said shell,

(c) each tube of said tube bundle consisting of spaced parallel straight portions inter-connected by return bends to provide for series fluid flow through said tubes,

((1) a tube sheet disposed adjacent the open end of said shell,

(e) a header disposed adjacent the tube sheet and secured to the open end of said shell to clamp the tube sheet to the shell in a fluid tight manner,

(f) each of said tubes of said tube bundle being secured to said tube sheet to communicate with said heater,

(g) a manifold disposed in the shell remote from the tube sheet,

(h) a plurality of second tubes, each of which tubes has smaller cross-sectional flow area than the tubes of said tube bundle and is connected at one end to said manifold and at the opposite end to a tube of said tube bundle to communicate said manifold withthe tubes of said tube bundle,

5 6 (i) a passageway in said tube sheet communicating References Cited by the Examiner with a source of first fluid, UNITED STATES PATENTS (j) a delivery conduit connected to said tube sheet and 711 769 10/1902 Husse said manifold so as to communicate the latter with 1 93870O 12/1933 Huet y X the passageway, and provide flow of first fluid from 5 2502675 4/1950 Simpelaa-r 165-163 X the passageway to the manifold and thence to the 2,693,346 11/1954 Petersen 1 5 1 3 X Second tubes, and 2,754,665 7/1956 Brandt 165-163 X (k) means in said shell for providing flow of a second 3 131 753 5/1964 K t 1 165-175 X fluid through the shell and in indirect heat exchange 3,260,307 7/1966 Dawson 165158 relationship with the fluid flowing through the tubes. 10 2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said delivery FOREIGN PATENTS conduit is a tube having an opening in the wall thereof to 1,922,539 12/1959 -t communicate the interior of the tube with the passageway 1,215,858 11/1959 Francein the tube sheet and the end of the tube sealed to prevent 793,647 12/1956 Great communication between the tube and header.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tube sheet ROBERT OLEARY nmary Exammer' comprises two parallel sheets held in spaced relationship MEYER PERLIN, Examlnerby a spacer ring secured to each of the sheets. D AVIS Assistant Examiner. 

1. A HEAT EXCHANGER OF THE SHELL AND TUBE TYPE COMPRISING (A) AN ELONGATED SHELL OPEN AT ONE END AND CLOSED AT THE OPPOSITE END THEREOF, (B) A TUBE BUNDLE CONSISTING OF A PLURALITY OF SPACED PARALLEL TUBES DISPOSED WITHIN SAID SHELL, (C) EACH TUBE OF SAID TUBE BUNDLE CONSISTING OF SPACED PARALLEL STRAIGHT PORTIONS INTER-CONNECTED BY RETURN BENDS TO PROVIDE FOR SERIES FLUID FLOW THROUGH SAID TUBES, (D) A TUBE SHEET DISPOSED ADJACENT THE OPEN END OF SAID SHELL, (E) A HEADER DISPOSED ADJACENT THE TUBE SHEET AND SECURED TO THE OPEN END OF SAID SHELL TO CLAMP THE TUBE SHEET TO THE SHELL IN A FLUID TIGHT MANNER, (F) EACH OF SAID TUBES OF SAID TUBE BUNDLE BEING SECURED TO SAID TUBE SHEET TO COMMUNICATE WITH SAID HEATER, (G) A MANIFOLD DISPOSED IN THE SHELL REMOTE FROM THE TUBE SHEET, (H) A PLURALITY OF SECOND TUBES, EACH OF WHICH TUBES HAS SMALLER CROSS-SECTIONAL FLOW AREA THAN THE TUBES OF SAID TUBE BUNDLE AND IS CONNECTED AT ONE END TO SAID MANIFOLD AND AT THE OPPOSITE END TO A TUBE OF SAID TUBE BUNDLE TO COMMUNICATE SAID MANIFOLD WITH THE TUBES OF SAID TUBE BUNDLE, (I) A PASSAGEWAY IN SAID TUBE SHEET COMMUNICATING WITH A SOURCE OF FIRST FLUID, (J) A DELIVERY CONDUIT CONNECTED TO SAID TUBE SHEET AND SAID MANIFOLD SO AS TO COMMUNICATE THE LATTER WITH THE PASSAGEWAY, AND PROVIDE FLOW OF FIRST FLUID FROM THE PASSAGEWAY TO THE MANIFOLD AND THENCE TO THE SECOND TUBES, AND (K) MEANS IN SAID SHELL FOR PROVIDING FLOW OF A SECOND FLUID THROUGH THE SHELL AND IN INDIRECT HEAT EXCHANGE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FLUID FLOWING THROUGH THE TUBES. 